?? 5 Game-Changing Tips for Parents in Survival Mode

Turn Overwhelm Into Action With These Simple Hacks

Being in Los Angeles now feels like the very early days of the pandemic. I've thought a lot about what that time was like and my state.

My son was 2.5, and we planned to move from West Hollywood to the Valley at the end of the month. We’d had a hard few months leading up to it. We knew something was going on with our son, but we didn’t have clarity; nothing seemed to check all the boxes. I wasn’t eating much, and I was trapped in a state of chronic stress, enduring sleepless nights and shedding a lot of tears in the bathroom. I isolated myself from joy and my closest friends, unsure how to share what was happening.

Then came the beginning of 2020.

Within just one week, my son was diagnosed with autism; the world—and LA—was shutting down due to the global pandemic, and we decided to accelerate our move by a month. We packed our entire home in one night and moved the following day. As we settled into our new place, the rain didn’t stop for a whole week, my son refused to sleep for nights on end, and I felt like there was no light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. It was so hard to see a way out because I was so deep inside my struggle and stress.

Slowly, I focused on small steps over the coming months—quick wins for each day. I started eating again with simple, easy meals that fueled me. Over time, the hard stuff became manageable, and I developed a self-care system that stuck.

Today, I want to share the five things that changed my life during the busiest and most stressful time. I hope they benefit you, wherever you are, helping you move forward today, tomorrow, and years from now. ??

1. Eat Simple, Repeatable Meals

When you’re in survival mode, don’t overthink food. Build 3-4 go-to meals that fuel your energy without draining your mental bandwidth. Repetition doesn’t make it boring—it makes it doable. Try This: My favorite? Rotisserie chicken, roasted veggies, and rice. Keep it basic, but keep it healthy.

2. Hydrate Like It’s Your Job

Water became my secret weapon. Starting the day with a tall glass and keeping one nearby throughout the day made a bigger difference than I expected. Try This: Add a wedge of lemon or cucumber for a little spa-day vibe. You deserve it.

3. Release Stress in Small Ways

I didn’t have time for elaborate self-care during that season, but I could find five minutes to reset. Whether it was sitting in my car or crying in my bathroom, those moments helped me feel what I was feeling. Try This: Find a quiet spot and take 5 minutes to breathe, sip tea, or simply sit still. It’s powerful.

4. Find Joy in the Everyday

Joy felt impossible back then, but I learned to look for it in tiny, everyday moments: a favorite song, a warm cup of coffee, or reading a few pages of a book. Those little sparks added up. Try This: At the end of the day, write down one thing that brought you joy. You’ll be surprised how much it shifts your focus and how quickly the moments that matter add up.

5. Build in Quick Wins

The days were long, and the wins were few. But making time for one small, achievable task each day—prepping a snack, folding laundry, or eating breakfast—gave me the momentum to keep going. Try This: Start your day with one quick win. It could be as simple as drinking a glass of water or eating something nourishing every day for a week.

I know life can feel like too much sometimes. But trust me, when you start small, you start somewhere. These five shifts got me through the most challenging and confusuing time of my life, and I still lean on them today.

They also laid the foundation for Hot Meals for Hot Moms, my proven system for creating energizing, time-saving meals that fit seamlessly into a busy mom’s life. This system works in the most stressful and hurried times, as well as everyday ones.

If you’re ready to feel steady, nourished, and confident every day—without the stress—I invite you to join Hot Meals for Hot Moms and learn a system that supports you and helps you focus on what truly matters.

?? Click here to learn more and join today.

Proceeds from the sales of Hot Meals for Hot Moms will support families who have lost their homes in the LA Fires.

You don’t have to do it all, but you do deserve to feel good and show up as your best self.

See you same time, same place next week.

xoSP

P.S. This is my son. Parenting him has been the most rewarding role of my lifetime. If you are a special needs parent, I’m always here for you, to listen, love, and celebrate our truly wonderful kids. ??

Photo by Emily Ulmer